A lot of people today whiten their teeth for various reasons. Regardless of the reason behind teeth whitening, it remains a great way to enhance your
self-confidence while giving you a brighter smile. There are a lot of teeth whitening products available for sale today. However, it is best to use professional teeth cleaning services to get a better and longer-lasting teeth whitening result.
To ensure that you enjoy the maximum benefits from teeth whitening, knowing what you can and cannot do after teeth whitening is essential. Below, we’ve discussed a few guidelines on what not to do if you wish to keep your teeth whiter for longer. Read on to find out.
Do Not Drink Colored Beverages
After teeth whitening treatment, it is vital to avoid all intensely colored beverages. Examples of such beverages include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red Wine
- Sodas
- Fruit juices
- Beer
These drinks contain artificial or vibrant colors which can easily stain teeth. However, if you must have any of these drinks, we advise that you drink through a straw as straws can help keep the liquid away from your freshly-whitened teeth, ensuring that your teeth remain whiter for longer.
Avoid Staining Foods
Like colored beverages, there are also certain foods you must avoid after teeth whitening. Greasy, colored, or acidic food has a damaging effect on the enamel, which can become even more pronounced after teeth whitening causing staining. Examples of staining foods to avoid after teeth whitening include:
- Red Meat
- Colorful spices like turmeric curry, paprika, etc.
- Dark-colored sauces like red sauce, balsamic vinegar, etc.
- Acidic fruits like citrus, lemons, oranges, lime, etc.
- Highly colored berries like blueberries, blackberries, etc.
- Dark chocolate and Milk
- Pigmented vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, etc.
- Colored candy.
A good way of identifying staining foods is by following a basic rule of thumb: if a particular food stains a shirt, it will also stain the teeth. To ensure that your teeth remain whiter for longer, it becomes essential to avoid these foods.
Do Not Take Cut Out Tobacco Products
Tobacco products rank around the top as one of the fastest ways to stain or re-stain freshly-whitened teeth. Tobacco as a substance is also harmful to general oral health. Compared to individuals who do not use tobacco products, tobacco users have to whiten their teeth constantly. While quitting tobacco products is beneficial to your health, it is also very beneficial if you wish to maintain your smile while having new white teeth.
Do Not Use Colored Dental Hygiene Products
You should avoid using colored dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash with colors immediately after and in the days following your teeth whitening procedure. Dental hygiene products colored blue, red, purple, or other colors tend to re-stain teeth faster, especially when compared to dental hygiene products that are lightly colored or colored white.
Some individuals might experience some sensitivity after teeth whitening. If that is the case for you, you could try using desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash. You should also visit your Medford Dentist to discuss the other options available for managing sensitive teeth.
What To Eat After Whitening Your Teeth
We’ve discussed what you cannot do after whitening your teeth. Now let’s talk about some foods and beverages that are completely safe for you to take after a teeth whitening procedure. After teeth whitening, you might want to try a “white diet.” This diet involves eating only white or colorless foods for about two weeks following your whitening procedure.
Some foods and beverages that are safe to consume after teeth whitening include:
- White rice
- Whitefish: Examples include cod, tilapia, haddock, etc.
- Uncolored pasta
- Plain yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Tofu
- Chicken
- Cereal (ensure that there are no artificial colors or dyes)
- Potatoes
- Egg whites
- Chickpeas
- Cauliflower
- Cheese (ensure that there are no artificial colors or dyes)
- Bananas, among others.
Beverages you can drink include:
- Coconut water
- Unflavored still or sparkling water
- White wine
- Clear alcohol with clear mixers
If you need teeth cleaning services or want to know more about what and what not to do after teeth whitening, book an appointment with your Medford dentist today and begin the journey to getting a brighter smile today.